Oil Boom Shifts The Landscape Of Rural North Dakota

Oil Boom Shifts The Landscape Of Rural North Dakota

Oil Boom Shifts The Landscape Of Rural North Dakota

Andrew Burton

A directional driller reviews computer monitors while drilling for oil in the Bakken shale formation on July 23, 2013 outside Watford City, North Dakota. North Dakota is been experiencing an oil boom in recent years, due in part to new drilling techniques including hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. In April 2013, The United States Geological Survey released a new study estimating the Bakken formation and surrounding oil fields could yield up to 7.4 billion barrels of oil, doubling their estimate of 2008, which was stated at 3.65 billion barrels of oil. Workers for Raven Drilling work 12-hour days, working 14 days straight, and then having 14 days off. They stay at a camp nearby.

A directional driller reviews computer monitors while drilling for oil in the Bakken shale formation on July 23, 2013 outside Watford City, North Dakota. North Dakota is been experiencing an oil boom in recent years, due in part to new drilling techniques including hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. In April 2013, The United States Geological Survey released a new study estimating the Bakken formation and surrounding oil fields could yield up to 7.4 billion barrels of oil, doubling their estimate of 2008, which was stated at 3.65 billion barrels of oil. Workers for Raven Drilling work 12-hour days, working 14 days straight, and then having 14 days off. They stay at a camp nearby.

Oil Boom Shifts The Landscape Of Rural North Dakota

Andrew Burton

A trailer park occupied mostly by oil workers is seen in an aerial view in the early morning hours of July 30, 2013 near Watford City, North Dakota. North Dakota has seen a boom in oil production thanks to new drilling techniques including horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing.

A trailer park occupied mostly by oil workers is seen in an aerial view in the early morning hours of July 30, 2013 near Watford City, North Dakota. North Dakota has seen a boom in oil production thanks to new drilling techniques including horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing.

Oil Boom Shifts The Landscape Of Rural North Dakota

Andrew Burton

An oil drilling rig is seen in an aerial view in the early morning hours of July 30, 2013 near Bismarck, North Dakota. The state has seen a boom in oil production thanks to new drilling techniques including horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing.

An oil drilling rig is seen in an aerial view in the early morning hours of July 30, 2013 near Bismarck, North Dakota. The state has seen a boom in oil production thanks to new drilling techniques including horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing.

Oil Boom Shifts The Landscape Of Rural North Dakota

Andrew Burton

Ray Gerish, a floor hand for Raven Drilling, works on an oil rig drilling into the Bakken shale formation on July 28, 2013 outside Watford City, North Dakota. North Dakota has been experiencing an oil boom in recent years, due in part to new drilling techniques including hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. In April 2013, The United States Geological Survey released a new study estimating the Bakken formation and surrounding oil fields could yield up to 7.4 billion barrels of oil, doubling their estimate of 2008, which was stated at 3.65 billion barrels of oil. Workers for Raven Drilling work twelve hour days fourteen days straight, staying at a camp nearby, followed by fourteen days.

Ray Gerish, a floor hand for Raven Drilling, works on an oil rig drilling into the Bakken shale formation on July 28, 2013 outside Watford City, North Dakota. North Dakota has been experiencing an oil boom in recent years, due in part to new drilling techniques including hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. In April 2013, The United States Geological Survey released a new study estimating the Bakken formation and surrounding oil fields could yield up to 7.4 billion barrels of oil, doubling their estimate of 2008, which was stated at 3.65 billion barrels of oil. Workers for Raven Drilling work twelve hour days fourteen days straight, staying at a camp nearby, followed by fourteen days.

Oil Boom Shifts The Landscape Of Rural North Dakota

Andrew Burton

Sections of pipe wait to be welded together and placed into the ground sit in preparation on July 28, 2013 outside Watford City, North Dakota. North Dakota has been experiencing an oil boom in recent years, due in part to new drilling techniques including hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. In April 2013, The United States Geological Survey released a new study estimating the Bakken formation and surrounding oil fields could yield up to 7.4 billion barrels of oil, doubling their estimate of 2008, which was stated at 3.65 billion barrels of oil.

Sections of pipe wait to be welded together and placed into the ground sit in preparation on July 28, 2013 outside Watford City, North Dakota. North Dakota has been experiencing an oil boom in recent years, due in part to new drilling techniques including hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. In April 2013, The United States Geological Survey released a new study estimating the Bakken formation and surrounding oil fields could yield up to 7.4 billion barrels of oil, doubling their estimate of 2008, which was stated at 3.65 billion barrels of oil.

Oil Boom Shifts The Landscape Of Rural North Dakota

Andrew Burton

Jerome (L) watches as Zach (on bike), jumps over Fielding on July 28, 2013 in Alexander, North Dakota. Fielding's dad, who works as a mechanic and welder, moved the family to North Dakota from Mexico after learning of work being offered. North Dakota has been experiencing an oil boom in recent years, due in part to new drilling techniques including hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. In April 2013, The United States Geological Survey released a new study estimating the Bakken formation and surrounding oil fields could yield up to 7.4 billion barrels of oil, doubling their estimate of 2008, which was stated at 3.65 billion barrels of oil.

Jerome (L) watches as Zach (on bike), jumps over Fielding on July 28, 2013 in Alexander, North Dakota. Fielding's dad, who works as a mechanic and welder, moved the family to North Dakota from Mexico after learning of work being offered. North Dakota has been experiencing an oil boom in recent years, due in part to new drilling techniques including hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. In April 2013, The United States Geological Survey released a new study estimating the Bakken formation and surrounding oil fields could yield up to 7.4 billion barrels of oil, doubling their estimate of 2008, which was stated at 3.65 billion barrels of oil.

Oil Boom Shifts The Landscape Of Rural North Dakota

Andrew Burton

Ray Gerish, a floor hand for Raven Drilling, works on an oil rig drilling into the Bakken shale formation on July 28, 2013 outside Watford City, North Dakota. North Dakota has been experiencing an oil boom in recent years, due in part to new drilling techniques including hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. In April 2013, The United States Geological Survey released a new study estimating the Bakken formation and surrounding oil fields could yield up to 7.4 billion barrels of oil, doubling their estimate of 2008, which was stated at 3.65 billion barrels of oil. Workers for Raven Drilling work twelve hour days fourteen days straight, staying at a camp nearby, followed by fourteen days.

Ray Gerish, a floor hand for Raven Drilling, works on an oil rig drilling into the Bakken shale formation on July 28, 2013 outside Watford City, North Dakota. North Dakota has been experiencing an oil boom in recent years, due in part to new drilling techniques including hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. In April 2013, The United States Geological Survey released a new study estimating the Bakken formation and surrounding oil fields could yield up to 7.4 billion barrels of oil, doubling their estimate of 2008, which was stated at 3.65 billion barrels of oil. Workers for Raven Drilling work twelve hour days fourteen days straight, staying at a camp nearby, followed by fourteen days.

Oil Boom Shifts The Landscape Of Rural North Dakota

Andrew Burton

Rob Thomasson works at a residential construction site on July 28, 2013 in Watford, North Dakota. North Dakota has been experiencing an oil boom in recent years, due in part to new drilling techniques including hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. In April 2013, The United States Geological Survey released a new study estimating the Bakken formation and surrounding oil fields could yield up to 7.4 billion barrels of oil, doubling their estimate of 2008, which was stated at 3.65 billion barrels of oil.

Rob Thomasson works at a residential construction site on July 28, 2013 in Watford, North Dakota. North Dakota has been experiencing an oil boom in recent years, due in part to new drilling techniques including hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. In April 2013, The United States Geological Survey released a new study estimating the Bakken formation and surrounding oil fields could yield up to 7.4 billion barrels of oil, doubling their estimate of 2008, which was stated at 3.65 billion barrels of oil.

Oil Boom Shifts The Landscape Of Rural North Dakota

Andrew Burton

Ray Gerish, a floor hand for Raven Drilling, works on an oil rig drilling into the Bakken shale formation on July 28, 2013 outside Watford City, North Dakota. North Dakota has been experiencing an oil boom in recent years, due in part to new drilling techniques including hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. In April 2013, The United States Geological Survey released a new study estimating the Bakken formation and surrounding oil fields could yield up to 7.4 billion barrels of oil, doubling their estimate of 2008, which was stated at 3.65 billion barrels of oil. Workers for Raven Drilling work twelve hour days fourteen days straight, staying at a camp nearby, followed by fourteen days.

Ray Gerish, a floor hand for Raven Drilling, works on an oil rig drilling into the Bakken shale formation on July 28, 2013 outside Watford City, North Dakota. North Dakota has been experiencing an oil boom in recent years, due in part to new drilling techniques including hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. In April 2013, The United States Geological Survey released a new study estimating the Bakken formation and surrounding oil fields could yield up to 7.4 billion barrels of oil, doubling their estimate of 2008, which was stated at 3.65 billion barrels of oil. Workers for Raven Drilling work twelve hour days fourteen days straight, staying at a camp nearby, followed by fourteen days.

Oil Boom Shifts The Landscape Of Rural North Dakota

Andrew Burton

A man rides a mechanical bull at the North Dakota state fair on July 27, 2013 in Williston, North Dakota. The western region of North Dakota has seen a rise in crime, automobile accidents and drug usage recently, due in part to the oil boom which has brought tens of thousands of jobs to the region, lowering state unemployment and bringing a surplus to the state budget.

A man rides a mechanical bull at the North Dakota state fair on July 27, 2013 in Williston, North Dakota. The western region of North Dakota has seen a rise in crime, automobile accidents and drug usage recently, due in part to the oil boom which has brought tens of thousands of jobs to the region, lowering state unemployment and bringing a surplus to the state budget.

Oil Boom Shifts The Landscape Of Rural North Dakota

Andrew Burton

A man stands beneath a ride at the North Dakota state fair on July 27, 2013 in Williston, North Dakota. The western region of North Dakota has seen a rise in crime, automobile accidents and drug usage recently, due in part to the oil boom which has brought tens of thousands of jobs to the region, lowering state unemployment and bringing a surplus to the state budget.

A man stands beneath a ride at the North Dakota state fair on July 27, 2013 in Williston, North Dakota. The western region of North Dakota has seen a rise in crime, automobile accidents and drug usage recently, due in part to the oil boom which has brought tens of thousands of jobs to the region, lowering state unemployment and bringing a surplus to the state budget.

Oil Boom Shifts The Landscape Of Rural North Dakota

Andrew Burton

Conlan Privratsky, an engineer from Minnesota, participates in an arm wrestling tournament at the North Dakota state fair on July 27, 2013 in Williston, North Dakota. The western region of North Dakota has seen a rise in crime, automobile accidents and drug usage recently, due in part to the oil boom which has brought tens of thousands of jobs to the region, lowering state unemployment and bringing a surplus to the state budget.

Conlan Privratsky, an engineer from Minnesota, participates in an arm wrestling tournament at the North Dakota state fair on July 27, 2013 in Williston, North Dakota. The western region of North Dakota has seen a rise in crime, automobile accidents and drug usage recently, due in part to the oil boom which has brought tens of thousands of jobs to the region, lowering state unemployment and bringing a surplus to the state budget.

Oil Boom Shifts The Landscape Of Rural North Dakota

Andrew Burton

Inmates sit in the county jail on July 26, 2013 in Williston, North Dakota. The state has seen a rise in crime, automobile accidents and drug usage recently, due in part to the oil boom which has brought tens of thousands of jobs to the region, lowering state unemployment and bringing a surplus to the state budget.

Inmates sit in the county jail on July 26, 2013 in Williston, North Dakota. The state has seen a rise in crime, automobile accidents and drug usage recently, due in part to the oil boom which has brought tens of thousands of jobs to the region, lowering state unemployment and bringing a surplus to the state budget.

Oil Boom Shifts The Landscape Of Rural North Dakota

Andrew Burton

An intoxicated man sits inside an ambulance outside a bar on July 26, 2013 in Williston, North Dakota. The state has seen a rise in crime, automobile accidents and drug usage recently, due in part to the oil boom which has brought tens of thousands of jobs to the region, lowering state unemployment and bringing a surplus to the state budget.

An intoxicated man sits inside an ambulance outside a bar on July 26, 2013 in Williston, North Dakota. The state has seen a rise in crime, automobile accidents and drug usage recently, due in part to the oil boom which has brought tens of thousands of jobs to the region, lowering state unemployment and bringing a surplus to the state budget.

Oil Boom Shifts The Landscape Of Rural North Dakota

Andrew Burton

Joe Beach, originally from Fort Myers, FL, and Cici Borash, orginally from Saint Cloud, MN, embrace while bowling on July 26, 2013 in Williston, North Dakota. The two both came to North Dakota for work created by the oil boom, and met while working at an oil hauling company. North Dakota has been experiencing an oil boom recently, bringing tens of thousands of jobs to the region, lowering state unemployment and bringing a surplus to the state budget.

Joe Beach, originally from Fort Myers, FL, and Cici Borash, orginally from Saint Cloud, MN, embrace while bowling on July 26, 2013 in Williston, North Dakota. The two both came to North Dakota for work created by the oil boom, and met while working at an oil hauling company. North Dakota has been experiencing an oil boom recently, bringing tens of thousands of jobs to the region, lowering state unemployment and bringing a surplus to the state budget.

Keywords

A directional driller reviews computer monitors while drilling for... News PhotoBusiness,Computer,Direction,Finance,Fuel and Power Generation,Horizontal,North Dakota,Oil Industry,Shale,Technology,USA,Watford CityPhotographer Andrew BurtonCollection: Getty Images News 2013 Getty ImagesWILLISTON, ND - JULY 23: A directional driller reviews computer monitors while drilling for oil in the Bakken shale formation on July 23, 2013 outside Watford City, North Dakota. North Dakota is been experiencing an oil boom in recent years, due in part to new drilling techniques including hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. In April 2013, The United States Geological Survey released a new study estimating the Bakken formation and surrounding oil fields could yield up to 7.4 billion barrels of oil, doubling their estimate of 2008, which was stated at 3.65 billion barrels of oil. Workers for Raven Drilling work 12-hour days, working 14 days straight, and then having 14 days off. They stay at a camp nearby. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images)